Kyrie Irving Says He’s “Deleting a Lot of Things on Instagram” After Apology for Movie Link Was Removed

The newest member of the Dallas Mavericks spent most of his first press conference with the team addressing the controversies that tarnished his Brooklyn legacy.

Point guard Kyrie Irving spoke to the press for the first time since a trade was made from the Brooklyn Nets to Dallas.

Irving joined the Los Angeles team ahead of a game against the Clippers on Wednesday night, which will likely mark the first time we’ve seen Irving in a Mavericks uniform.

A featured topic of this conference was Irving’s comments on a recently deleted apology he wrote after posting the link to the film Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America on his Instagram story.

The film is based on a 2015 book of the same name, which was described as “toxically anti-Semitic.”

Kyrie Irving held his first press conference as a member of the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday

The apology no longer appears on Irving’s Instagram account – the post was apparently deleted before he joined the Mavericks.

“I delete a lot of things on my Instagram,” Irving replied to a question. “You know, I’ve had things in my life before, probably not as drastic as right now, that have caused a lot of confusion and uncertainty.

“I felt like I didn’t know what I meant and what I stand for. And I had to get in those mics and tell the world who I am, knowing who I am.

“So, you know, I delete things all the time, and it’s not disrespect to anyone in the community, I’m just living my life.

Irving was recently traded by the Brooklyn Mavericks for a package of players and picks

When asked if he stood by his apology, Irving seemed to sidestep the question at first before eventually saying he did.

“I stand by who I am and why I apologized,” Irving began. “And I did it because I care about my family and I have Jewish family members who care a lot about me.

“Did the media know this beforehand when they call me that word anti-Semitic? nope Did you know anything about my family? No, everything was accepted. Everything was erased before I had anything to say.

“And I reacted maturely instead of reacting emotionally. I didn’t want to be defensive or attack anyone. So I stand by my apology and I stand by my people everywhere, all walks of life, all races, all religions, the same.

Irving trained with his new teammates for the first time Tuesday ahead of a game tomorrow

Irving was then asked if he had had conversations with these Jewish family members and if or how the film had hurt them.

“I’ve had many conversations about world history,” Irving said. “What… was in it, was in it. I didn’t agree with everything.

‘I was up here and I said that. I’ll just leave it at that. My family is my family.

“If the media cared about my family, and actually…I’m not saying all media doesn’t want to reach anyone…but certain members of the media actually cared to investigate instead of being the first to report things and they would know where I’m from.” …

“The diversity of my family is beautiful and I kind of keep my focus on it. When I’m on the pitch… try not to get distracted.’

Nets coach Jacque Vaughn wished the outgoing Kyrie Irving well after his move to the Mavs

Irving first took the court with his teammates on Tuesday – as the Mavericks practiced ahead of their game against the Clippers on Wednesday.

Irving said he felt “very disrespectful at times” during his time in Brooklyn – adding that people didn’t talk that much about his “work ethic”.

His former head coach, Jacque Vaughn, wished Irving well in his new team and hopes he continues to develop and grow as a person.

“I’ve also seen him grow as an individual and be a better teammate than when I first met,” said Vaughn, who has worked with Irving for more than three seasons.

“So for me I will always look for the good in people and want the good in people. And I want him to be successful. He is no longer with us but I appreciate his time.”